UNC Charlotte Academic Procedure: Degree Name or Type Revision

I. Executive Summary

This procedure outlines the steps required to revise the name or type (M.A., M.S., B.A., B.S., etc.) of an existing degree program (not including certificates or concentrations). Degrees are approved by the Board of Governors, and as such any degree revisions must be approved by the UNC System Office. The procedures for revising the name or degree type of an existing degree program are governed by the System Office of the University of North Carolina under the UNC Policy Manual Section 400.1.1[R] Regulation for Academic Program Planning and Evaluation and UNC Charlotte University Policy, 602.9 Naming Opportunities.

II. Procedure

Procedures to revise the name (major) or degree type of an existing degree program:

  1. The Dean consults with the Provost and Chancellor regarding the proposed degree type or name change, including an explanation of the reason and rationale. If the proposal includes a suggested new or revised name, the proposal should include several suggested name options for consideration. Following Provost and Chancellor consultation, the academic program, department, or dean completes the Revise Degree Name/Type form in Modern Campus Curriculum (formerly Curriculog) and uploads the request to the Provost.
  2. Via Modern Campus Curriculum (formerly Curriculog) workflow, the request is routed to:
    • Academic Dean of the College
    • Provost
    • Undergraduate Course and Curriculum Committee (for undergraduate changes) or the Graduate Council (for graduate changes)
    • Faculty Executive Committee
    • Faculty Council
    • Provost
  3. The Provost sends a letter to the UNC System Office requesting approval of the degree type or name change.
  4. If the UNC System Office grants the request for the degree type or name change, the originator is notified via Modern Campus Curriculum (formerly Curriculog)
  5. The Office of Assessment and Accreditation provides notification to SACSCOC (or the University’s then-current accreditor).
  6. Revision is effective the term following approval from the UNC System Office.
  7. The college’s Director of Communications will coordinate with University Communications and Academic Affairs to prepare an announcement to be made to campus, which will include the effective date of the change in degree type or name. 

III. Definitions

  • Academic Department – A unit within a college representing a discipline. For example, the Department of English is in the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences (CHESS).
  • Provost – Reporting to the Chancellor, the Provost is the chief academic officer who oversees all academic affairs activities, including research and faculty. The Deans of each College report to the Provost.

IV. Procedure Contact(s)

V. History

  • Revised: June 18, 2026 [Clarified several options for revised name]
  • Revised: September 8, 2021 [Clarified process for communicating changes and inclusion of Director of Communications role]
  • Revised: April 8, 2021 [Included degree type in procedure]
  • Revised: June 22, 2018 [Process modified to use Curriculog]
  • Revised: February 3, 2016 [Added SACSCOC notification into steps]
  • Established: November 15, 2011

VI. Prior Versions

VII. Related Policies, Procedures and Resources

VIII. Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where is this procedure referenced?
    The procedure is published on the Academic Policies & Procedures webpage of the Provost website.
  • Does revising the name of the degree automatically change the name of the academic department or school?
    No. Revising the name of the academic department or school must be requested to the Provost who will undertake consultation with the Faculty under UNC Charlotte Academic Procedure: Academic Department/School: Establishment, Name Change, or Relocation.
  • Does this procedure apply to revising the name for certificates?
    Name revisions to certificates only require notification to the UNC System Office, not approval. For name changes to certificates, the academic program/department/dean should send the request to the Provost, including an explanation of the reason for the proposed change. The Provost will then send a letter of notification to the UNC System Office.
  • When is the name revision effective?
    The degree name revision is effective the term following approval from the UNC System Office. Any student who graduates in the effective term or later will graduate under the new name.